Georgia Tech offers seminars in business

Small business operators, many of whom have already made numerous adjustments in how they do business, are always looking for a better, more efficient way to do business.

Because of a partnership between Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, that help is available right here in Albany.

The state’s two major centers of higher education have joined forces to offer the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business program.

Georgia Tech has scheduled five free seminars in Albany. Art Ford of Georgia Tech says the “Getting in Shape” series is designed for small manufacturers, but is open to all types of businesses and entrepreneurs.

A similar program is being conducted during the same period in Douglas, and a third series is planned later this year in Valdosta.

The series kicks off Wednesday in Albany with “Lean Manufacturing for the Small Manufacturer.”

The seminar will be conducted from 10 a.m. until noon at 125 Pine Ave. Paul Todd of Georgia Tech will be the presenter. The program is free. You can register by going to www.ga-esb.org or calling Ford at (229) 430-6195.

Other sessions include:

– Getting the Most from your Web site on March 3.

– Automation for the Small Manufacturer on March 10.

– IT Solutions for the Small Manufacturer on March 17.

– Profit Pipeline – A Reliable System for Accelerating Profitable Growth on March 24.

In addition to the programs listed above, Georgia Tech is offering a series of free one-hour Webinars that can be accessed via the web. Additional information can be obtained by going online at the site listed above (www.ga-esb.org.)

The program is being funded by OneGeorgia Authority.

REALTORS: It may not be the best of times to be selling real estate, but a sizeable number of local realtors gathered this past week to celebrate their accomplishments.

Fifty-seven hard working real estate professionals received the 2009 Presidential Achievement Awards, which in the past has been called the Million Dollar Club. Making the club means they sold real estate worth at least $1 million during the past year.

The list ranges from Vicki Blanch and Leigh Windom, who joined the club for the first time, to Lavonda H. Paulk who made the list for the 32nd time.

Karen Richter won the top award — Realtor of the Year — from the Albany Board of Realtors. Dianne Barlow was given the Professionalism Award. Marci Langley was Rookie of the Year and Pam Nelson won the Community Service Award.

LOTTERY: We’ve had several Squawkers complain in recent weeks that people in south Georgia do not get their share of winnings from the Georgia Lottery Corp.

What these folks fail to understand is that about 70 percent of Georgians live in the metro Atlanta area, and therefore most of the winnings likely will be paid out in that part of the state.

But the real winners continue to be Georgia students. I know first hand with a daughter in college how much the HOPE scholarships helps. I spend very little on the lottery, but I’ve won even if I never have a winning ticket.

Since the Georgia Lottery started in 1993, there are 7,364 university system students from Dougherty County who have received a total of more than $34.1 million from the HOPE scholarship program.

Also, Dougherty County technical college students have received more than $33.4 million from HOPE. And, 586 private college and university students from Dougherty have received more than $2.5 million from HOPE.

The Lottery has paid off for Dougherty businesses also. They’ve collected more than $52.1 million in commissions since the lottery began here.

As far as the winnings, the Georgia Lottery Corp. office says Dougherty County residents have won more than than $52.1 million in commissions since the lottery began here.

As far as the winnings, the Georgia Lottery Corp. office says Dougherty County residents have won more than $430.4 million since 1993.

Danny Carter can be contacted at (229) 888-9346 or emailed at [email protected].